Lophognathus temporalis
Tropicagama temporalis·Agamidae
Tropicagama temporalis, also known as the swamplands lashtail or northern water dragon, is a medium-sized, semi-arboreal lizard found in the tropical savannah woodlands of northern Australia, New Guinea, and parts of Indonesia. This agamid lizard is characterized by its slender build, long limbs, and a distinctive white stripe running from its snout along its body, contrasted by dark bands.
Key Facts
- ›Inhabits tropical savannah woodlands, monsoon forests, and riverine environments.
- ›Features a prominent white stripe from snout to hind legs, intersected by dark bands.
- ›Possesses a dorsal crest of enlarged, keeled scales from head to tail base.
- ›Migrated from Australia to New Guinea between 2.3 and 4.7 million years ago.
- ›Found in coastal regions of northern Australia, southern New Guinea, and Indonesian islands.
Swamplands Lashtail, Northern Water Dragon
Northern Australia, New Guinea, Southeastern Indonesia
Tropical Savannah Woodlands, Coastal Dunes, Monsoon Forests, Paperbark Swamps, Billabongs, Creeks, Riverine Environments
- Slender Agamid Lizard of Moderate Size.
- Long Limbs and A Long, Slender Tail.
- Narrow, Moderately Elongated Head With A Short Rounded Snout.
- Prominent Canthal Ridge and Tympanum.
- Broad White Stripe Extending From Snout Tip, Over Lips, Below Tympanum, and Down the Lateral Body, Tapering At Hind Legs.
- White Stripe Intersected By Three Dark Bands At the Neck, Shoulders, and Upper Back.
- Head Portions Above and Below the Stripe Are Dark Gray Or Brown.
- Prominent Dorsal Crest of Enlarged Keeled Scales From Occiput To Shoulder, Continuing As A Ridge Along the Spine To the Tail Base.
- Front Legs Are Darker and Have More Strongly Keeled Scales Than Hind Legs.
- A Second, Shorter White Stripe Sometimes Extends From the Posterior Mandible To the Temporomandibular Joint Area.
Semi-Arboreal
About Lophognathus temporalis
Tropicagama temporalis
Tropicagama temporalis, commonly known as the swamplands lashtail or northern water dragon, is a medium-sized lizard belonging to the family Agamidae. This species is characterized by its slender build, long limbs, and a distinctive white stripe that runs from its snout along its body, punctuated by dark bands on its neck and back. A prominent crest of keeled scales adorns its back, extending from the head to the base of its tail.
Distribution and Habitat
The swamplands lashtail is found in the tropical savannah woodlands of northern Australia, specifically along the coastal regions of the Northern Territory and the western Cape York Peninsula. Its range also extends to the southern parts of New Guinea and several islands in southeastern Indonesia. It inhabits a variety of environments, including coastal dunes, monsoon forests, paperbark swamps, billabongs, and riverine areas.
Taxonomy and Evolution
Historically, Tropicagama temporalis was classified under several different genera. However, extensive analysis in 2018 led to the establishment of the new genus Tropicagama to accommodate this species, separating it from closely related lineages previously grouped within the genus Lophognathus. Phylogenetic studies suggest that the genus Tropicagama originated in the late Miocene and early Pliocene epochs. The species itself migrated from Australia to New Guinea between 2.3 and 4.7 million years ago and subsequently moved into Wallacea less than a million years ago.
Physical Characteristics
This semi-arboreal lizard possesses a narrow, moderately elongated head with a short, rounded snout and a noticeable canthal ridge. A key distinguishing feature is the broad white stripe that begins at the snout, extends over the lips, passes below the tympanum, and continues down the body, gradually tapering towards the hind legs. The scales on the front legs are typically darker and more strongly keeled than those on the hind legs. The snout-to-vent length averages around 103 millimeters (4.1 inches).
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tropicagama temporalis commonly known as?
Tropicagama temporalis is commonly known as the swamplands lashtail or the northern water dragon. These names reflect its habitat and physical characteristics.
Where is Tropicagama temporalis found?
This species is found in the tropical savannah woodlands of northern Australia, southern New Guinea, and islands as far north as the Maluku Islands of Indonesia. Its specific habitats include coastal dunes, monsoon forests, and riverine environments.
What are the distinctive physical features of Tropicagama temporalis?
Tropicagama temporalis is a slender lizard with long limbs and tail. It has a notable white stripe running from its snout along its body, broken by dark bands, and a prominent dorsal crest of keeled scales.
What is the taxonomic history of Tropicagama temporalis?
Tropicagama temporalis was historically placed in various genera, including Lophognathus. In 2018, it was placed into its own genus, Tropicagama, following genetic and morphological analyses that revealed distinct evolutionary lines.
When did Tropicagama temporalis migrate to New Guinea and Wallacea?
The species is believed to have migrated from Australia to New Guinea during the Pliocene epoch, between 2.3 and 4.7 million years ago. It later moved into Wallacea during the mid-Pleistocene epoch, less than a million years ago.
Related Lizards
Cnemaspis tropidogaster
The Cnemaspis tropidogaster, also known as the rough-bellied day gecko, is a species of gecko found in the Western Ghats of India and Sri Lanka. This diurnal lizard is characterized by its distinct head, elongated snout, and keeled ventral scales. It inhabits rocky substrates and low tree trunks, and has been rediscovered in the wet zone of Sri Lanka.
Rough-bellied day gecko
The rough-bellied day gecko is a species of day geckos found in the Western Ghats of India and Sri Lanka. This diurnal and crepuscular lizard is characterized by its distinct head, elongated snout, and keeled ventral scales, with a dark-brown dorsal side featuring variegated patterns. It inhabits rocky substrates and low tree trunks, occasionally venturing into human-made structures.
Acanthodactylus erythrurus
The spiny-footed lizard, Acanthodactylus erythrurus, is a medium-sized lizard known for the comb-like spines on its hind toes. Endemic to northwestern Africa and the Iberian Peninsula, it is recognized as one of the fastest lizards in the Lacertidae family. This species inhabits dry, sparsely vegetated areas with loose soil and low scrub, often in mountainous regions, and is primarily active during daylight hours.